The strategy is the Housing Corporation’s response to the recommendations in the Our Shared Future report from the Commission on Integration and Cohesion. It shows how the Corporation intends to ensure that the impact of cohesion and integration becomes a central consideration for affordable housing providers.At the heart of the strategy is recognition of the critical role that local government, regional housing boards and affordable housing providers play in supporting neighbourhoods and communities. It recognizes that today’s modern housing providers are much more than mere landlords.

The Local Government Association is calling for a fundamental review of building regulations and the need to install fire suppression systems following the Warwickshire warehouse fire in which four firefighters are feared to have died. The LGA will meet Government ministers this week to discuss this.

Guidance has been published for the first 14 councils interested in setting up Local Housing Companies. The Government claims the scheme could allow local authorities to make thousands of affordable homes available to help key workers and first time buyers.